the zhaf speaks

Tuesday, June 21, 2005:

vacillations

After an agonizing month of deliberation (haha), The Powers That Be have concluded the consideration of a most weighty and nit-picky matter. Henceforth, entries shall be typed with perfect punctuation and (most hopefully) grammar. Of course exceptions will be made for dramatic effect, butressing rhetoric and where circumstances such as the alignment of the moons of Saturn permit semantic faux pas. Such tyranny is necessary to stave off incorrigible attempts by rap lyrics and appallingly written soliloquys on Friendster to corrupt the linguistically pliable mind of the writer.

To those who haven't already done so, drop everything else and watch Batman Begins! Undeniably brilliant. A movie which offers much to viewers, whether you simply wish to be inducted into the world of Gotham, or you're just looking for a top-notch movie to leave your jaw agape, or if you want to leave the cinema feeling warm and fuzzy and revved-up and spiritually fulfilled - all at the same time. Who you are, is what you see; and the movie is so seamlessly choreographed and orchestrated that whoever you are it will be nigh impossible to find fault - should you so wish to read between the lines you may even find the moral and ethical dilemmas entirely plausible and congruous, unlike many flicks from the "superhero" genre. Watch and understand how the human psyche is the universal paradox - where even polar opposites like frailty and greatness might just be different sides of the same coin. For the economists among us, the utility you'll derive from the price of tickets and popcorn is well worth the price ;) Despite the risk of sounding hackneyed, I am compelled to quote from the movie : "Why do we fall, sir? So that we might better learn to pick ourselves up." - Alfred the butler.

Somehow or another innumerable elements of the movie seemed like a discourse Howard and myself had the night before at BK. Bruce Wayne's inner quest reflected itself in our minds as our own quest for significance; perhaps all mankind's innate desire at certain (rather debatable) times to transcend the mundane, to live a life that matters while there is breath within us and continues like an endless domino even after we're six feet under (or in an urn if you prefer cremation). Significance, or the lengthy pursuit of the ineffable, take your pick - my limited mind can find no better ways to epitomize the essence of 'the quest'. Between Howard and myself, we could find no better way to summarize the way we struggle to conduct our lives. So there - existentialism as inadequately explored by two intrepid and idealistic 19-year olds. We can only pray that clarity will be more forthcoming as the days go by.

-unshackled and unfettered he seeks power sublime- 12:40 pm

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Wednesday, June 01, 2005:

*creak

man this place has been gathering dust for quite awhile. quite a long hiatus that was. not to mention an excessively soporific one laden with quite disappointingly, a whole lot of nothing.

nevertheless all things resolve themselves in due time. how much perspective i've lost by not penning my thoughts down! how much i would have gained had i continued writing and reflecting. it's been 4 mths since my last post, far too much has transpired since then for me to do justice to the tumultous times with a short and cursory examination.

but yes, the first anniversary of my departure from formal singaporean education has come to pass. just like them nescient hamsters, it's felt like an eternity running on the wheel of life, and i'm wondering if i've merely been running the wheel and not progressed much, if at all. a due consideration of the past 4 mths, or in fact the past 2-3 years even, is in order.

it begins once more. welcome back zhaf. and so i resume the chronicle of my intrepid pursuit of the ineffable...

-unshackled and unfettered he seeks power sublime- 8:16 pm

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